I’ve always felt like I wasn’t a big enough fan to have all the cool things associated with fandom – the random Star Wars stuff from Disney or a Hufflepuff phone case. Alternately, I thought that having that fan stuff (even if I absolutley loved it) would get me labeled as a weird. I’m working through a lot of things right now and realizing that its okay to like what you like, even if someone thinks you’re weird. I can totally be a “non-traditional” student with a Harry Potter backpack in an R2-D2 dress and it doesn’t matter if people judge me… because I like these things.

I’ve also been super into metal stamping lately and wanted to try my hand at doing pencils too. So – Harry Potter + School Supplies + Metal Stamps? Sounds like either a recipe for disaster or something cute. You be the judge.

Harry Potter Spell Pencils

Cost: $50+ – BUT the metal stamps are a total investment and can be used for a TON of other things.
Time: 30 minutes or less
Suggested Listening: The Wizard Rock Twist – The Remus Lupins

Just a heads up – I bought all of my stamping supplies at Michaels when they were having a crazy sale. If you’re looking to get started, there are some good deals on Amazon or just slowly build up your supply with coupons for half off.

To begin, tape your pencil down to the stamping block with the section you want to tape up.

To stamp – place the stamp with the letter FACING YOU. Some of the stamp kits don’t have this on them so you need to make sure all of your letters are facing the same way. If you have a set with the letters also engraved on the outside make sure the outside letter is facing you. Hold the stamp towards the bottom and gently strike straight down onto the stamp. One hit should do.

Tip: When I first tried this I hit too hard and shattered the pencil – not pretty or fun – so there is no shame in ruining your first few pencils to make sure you’re stamping the way you want.

Fill in they stamps – Use your metallic permanent marker or enamel pen and fill in each letter, making sure to get it all up in the grooves of the stamps.

Wipe – I found that the best way to do this is to dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol and make one clean swipe. Two at the most. Any more and you risk rubbing off the paint of the pencil and messing up the wood.